A bipartisan coalition of 43 House Members sent a letter today urging the FCC to promote rural broadband access. Like CF&P’s own comments, the coalition urges the FCC to preserve three whites spaces channels in every market so that private innovation can work to close the digital divide.
From the letter:
According to the FCC’s 2016 Broadband Progress Report, approximately 34 million Americans do not have broadband internet access. Of these, about 24 million live in rural communities that lack the network infrastructure necessary to provide a reliable and affordable broadband connection. This means students, farmers, doctors, law enforcement officials, and families across rural America are unable to access the internet and, consequentially, are being denied the economic, health, and public safety advances enabled by that access.
…We believe that the television white spaces (TVWS) have strong potential to revolutionize broadband internet accessibility in rural areas. TVWS allows a broadband internet connection to cover 9 miles, while navigating the physical terrain that at times can make wireless broadband connectivity difficult. Because of this range, these internet connections are extremely cost-effective requiring minimal infrastructure investments, and are far more dependable than the limited connections that many rural areas currently have.
The effort was led by Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), a former utility regulator, and co-led by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Suzan DelBene (D-Calif.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), and Mark Walker (R-N.C.). Together they represent leadership from both parties, key committees, and influential factions like the House Freedom Caucus and the Republican Study Committee.
The letter is a rare example of unity in today’s polarized political environment.
If the FCC follows the advice in the letter, it will pave the way for companies like Microsoft to solve an important social and economic issue. Notably, the issue requires no expansion of government authority as the FCC already controls the TV band. The agency need only use its authority wisely to provide regulatory certainty and foster an environment conducive to private investment and innovation.
